Whenever people ask me what resources I use to get ahead, I give them a single answer: Newsletters.
Nobody has time to read anymore. Between the constant demands of the workday and our need to be present with family, finding time to consume anything beneficial to our professional efforts is hard for most adults. That is if you can even find something worthwhile in the first place. Newsletters are the answer.
The Internet is an endless expanse of information and ideas. You can find anything at any point, but if you don’t have time to read, how can anyone expect you to do the searching? Every extra step between finding information and consuming it is yet another reason people don’t or can’t or won’t better themselves.
It sounds tired to write, but it bears repeating that we only get ahead when we all get ahead. I believe the key to a better, more lucrative, and fair industry for all is education. People need to be able to better themselves and feel encouraged to help one another.
In other words, we owe it to one another to try a little more.
No matter your genre or role, newsletters available right now will make you a better professional. Whether crunching data on the biggest names in your market or following industry-wide trends, newsletters can help you stay ahead of your competitors without wasting too much of your time.
There are hundreds of incredible newsletters available, but there is a handful I swear by and share daily. Enjoy.
Stream N’ Destroy (by Ryan J. Downey)
Anyone who claims that rock ‘n’ roll is dead must not subscribe to Ryan Downey’s newsletter. Downey is a best-selling author and fixture of alternative music who uses his newsletter to keep everyone updated on all things rock. From the most popular artists on Spotify to the best-selling albums of any given week, Downey provides data dumps on the state of rock and its many sub-genres that no other publication seems to offer (at least not for free). We learn more look at Stream N Destroy each week than we do from several leading industry news sites, and we bet you’ll feel the same after subscribing.
The Nashville Briefing (by Zak Kuhn)
Whether you’re curious about what’s happening in Nashville or need another perspective on where things are headed, The Nashville Briefing is your new go-to read three times a week. Enjoyed by over 5,000 industry leaders and counting, The Nashville Briefing offers a high-level overview of the country’s biggest moves and in-depth breakdowns of emerging industry trends. Thrown into the mix on occasion are also music and app recommendations, all delivered through the witty and insightful wordplay of Zak Kuhn.
Music Journalism Insider (By Todd L. Burns)
I don’t care if you consider yourself a writer or not—Music Journalism Insider should be viewed as a must-read for everyone in the industry today. Todd L. Burns is doing the Lord’s work by bringing together the latest and greatest criticism, essays, podcasts, videos, and everything related to the current music discourse. This weekly newsletter tells you what people are talking about and who those people are, including many voices you might not otherwise discover. Burns does offer a premium tier that unlocks a contact sheet for people hoping to pitch stories, but the free level is more than enough to keep you entertained and informed every Monday morning.
Bobby Owsinski is a music industry veteran who believes in transparency. Bobby’s blog and accompanying newsletter take the biggest stories and moments from the industry and use them to educate readers about the music business as a whole. What his writing lacks in personal revelations is more than made up for with industry know-how, so if you’re looking to get ahead, Music 3.0 may be the answer.
First Floor (By Shawn Reynaldo)
I admittedly know very little about electronic music as a whole. But Shawn Reynaldo’s writing makes it relatable to anyone in music. His ability to not only make data digestible but finding the most interesting ways to look at the information available to us is what separates First Floor from other electronic-focused publications. If you need someone to handle an investigative report for your startup or want a second opinion on your next release, Shawn is a person you can trust.
